Well, let me tell ya about them extra points in the NFL. Now, you might not think much of it, but it’s kinda important if ya watch them games, y’know? An extra point is what a team tries to get after they score a touchdown. They gotta kick the ball through them goalposts, but it ain’t just a simple kick like ya might think.
So, in the NFL, they line up to kick that extra point from the 15-yard line. That’s where the ball gets placed. You might wonder, “Why the 15-yard line?” Well, here’s the deal—when they kick that ball, it’s actually 33 yards away from the goalposts. Now, don’t go thinkin’ that it’s just about the distance from the 15-yard line to the goalposts. You gotta factor in the 10-yard deep end zone and the 8 yards where the holder stands behind the line of scrimmage. That’s how it adds up to 33 yards, like kickin’ a field goal from that same distance. Before 2015, they used to kick from the 2-yard line, but they moved it back to make it harder, and now it’s 33 yards.
Now, the thing is, there’s also what they call a 2-point conversion. This is when the team don’t wanna kick the extra point. Instead, they try to run or pass the ball into the end zone from the 2-yard line. It ain’t easy, but some teams like to take that chance, especially if they’re ahead or need more points. That’s a bit riskier though. So, most teams go with the kick because it’s quicker and easier.
Why 33 Yards?
Well, before 2015, them extra points were a lot closer, only 20 yards. But folks started saying it wasn’t challenging enough, so they moved it back to the 15-yard line to make it tougher for them kickers. It’s funny, ’cause before then, kickers would almost always make the extra point. But after the move, a few kicks started missin’. Ain’t no surprise, ’cause 33 yards ain’t that short when you gotta focus real hard on that ball and get it between them posts.
And let me tell ya, the pressure on them kickers is somethin’ fierce. If they miss that extra point, the team don’t get them extra 1 point, and that can be a real pain later on in the game. Every point counts, especially in close matches where every score matters like it’s the last one. You’ve probably seen plenty of games where a missed extra point coulda changed the whole outcome. It’s a small thing, but it can be a big deal.
The 2-Point Conversion
Now, I’ll tell ya, not all teams go for that easy kick. Some like to make it a little harder. That’s where the 2-point conversion comes in. Instead of kickin’ the ball, the team gets one shot to run or pass the ball into the end zone from the 2-yard line. If they do it right, they get 2 points instead of just 1. But it ain’t always as easy as it sounds. Defenders are out there tryin’ to stop ya, and the team’s got a lot of pressure to get that ball across.
It wasn’t always like this though. In the old days, they didn’t have them 2-point tries. Back then, once you got a touchdown, it was all about kickin’ the extra point. But then, in 1994, they decided to mix things up and give teams another way to score after a touchdown. Now, you’ll see teams debate whether to kick the extra point or go for the 2-point conversion, and it really depends on the game and what the coach is feelin’ at the moment.
What Does It Mean for the NFL?
For the NFL, that extra point is a pretty important part of the game. It’s not just a free point. Some teams might rely on it to put them ahead, and others might take the risk of the 2-point conversion to catch up or stay ahead. It keeps things interestin’, don’t it?
So, next time you’re watchin’ a game and the team scores a touchdown, pay attention to what they do. Are they goin’ for the easy 1 point, or are they gonna take a chance on the 2-point conversion? It’s one of them little details that can make a big difference in the end, trust me.
Conclusion
To wrap it all up, extra points in the NFL are a 33-yard kick from the 15-yard line, and it ain’t as easy as it sounds. Teams can also try a 2-point conversion from the 2-yard line, which adds a bit of excitement to the game. And even though it might seem like a small thing, that extra point can make all the difference in a close match. So, keep an eye on that, ’cause you never know when it might come back to bite ya!
Tags：[NFL, extra point, NFL extra point distance, 2-point conversion, NFL touchdowns, football kick, football scoring, extra point kick]
